- Laser pen attack on motorists - new advice
- Footage shared by dashcam experts Nextbase
- Victims face permanent eye injuries
- Offenders risk five years in prison
- Even minor attacks can result in blurred vision
- Experts say you should pull over immediately if targeted
(Adobe Stock)
This terrifying form of road rage could cause irreversible damage to a driver’s eyes - and see offenders JAILED.
Laser pens can be purchased for less than £10 online with many of the items being much more powerful than is deemed safe.
The light which laser pointers emit can cause permanent damage to the retina, the nerve layer at the back of the eye.
Yet startling new footage claims to show a driver being targeted with a laser pen attack following an incident on the M25 motorway.
The video was shared by Nextbase, which runs the National Dash Cam Safety Portal (NDSP), allowing motorists to upload footage to report a road traffic incident to the relevant police force.
(Adobe Stock)
It shows a bright green light being shone from a dark-coloured estate vehicle on the London Orbital motorway, with Nextbase saying the offender is ‘eligible for a 5 year jail time and the title of biggest road menace’.
The incident is thankfully something of a one-off.
But Graham Conway, Managing Director at Select Car Leasing, says motorists need to pull over as soon as it’s safe to do so if they are targeted by a laser pen attack as even minor episodes can result in temporary blurring of vision.
He adds: “Laser pen attacks on motorists are mercifully rare but they can also be catastrophic when it comes to driver health and safety. Powerful laser pointers are capable of causing permanent, life-changing injuries to someone’s eyes, with laser burns potentially causing complete vision loss.
“Lesser-powered laser pens can also still cause a temporary blurring of your vision, with the implications for road safety all too obvious - particularly when you’re trying to maintain control of a vehicle travelling at 70mph on a motorway.
“If you do experience a laser pen being shone in your eyes while behind the wheel, it’s crucial that you stop as soon as it’s safe to do so and assess the damage while also notifying the police. And if you experience blurred vision, seek medical help immediately and don’t drive an inch further.”
(Adobe Stock)
Social media users commenting under Nextbase's Instagram post shared their own laser pen experiences on UK roads.
One said: “I had a blue laser shot in my eye from an oncoming driver years ago and it felt like someone punched me in the eye. I had to stop driving and swap places with a mate who finished the drive for me.”
Another likened the act of pointing laser pens at people as ‘like pointing a loaded gun at them’.
In 2017, the Government announced strict new laws on laser pen abuse following high-profile incidents where lasers were beamed at aircraft.
The Laser Misuse (Vehicles) Bill gave new powers to police, with offenders faced with a jail term of up to five years as well as an unlimited fine.
(Adobe Stock)
The Bill also made it easier for police to secure a prosecution by removing the need to prove an intention to endanger a vehicle.
At the time, Aviation Minister Baroness Liz Sugg said: “Lasers can dazzle, distract or blind those in control of a vehicle, with serious and potentially even fatal consequences. The government is determined to protect pilots, captains, drivers and their passengers and take action against those who threaten their safety.”
You can purchase a Nextbase dashcam via Select's own accessories page.
Enjoyed this? Read our latest news
- New off-road Renault 4 makes a splash!
- On the track in the world’s maddest Nissan Micra
- Bargain new Peugeot 208 arrives
- DS 4 reinvented as sleek ‘No4’ EV
- ‘Pandastic’ Fiat Grande Panda - now endorsed by rapper Shaggy!
Where To Next?
For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to our newsletter.
Looking for a great leasing deal? Check out our incredible range of special offers.
Read our latest reviews and find the right model for you.
Want to know more about leasing? Take a look at our comprehensive leasing guides.
Interested in everything motoring? Why not catch up on all the latest car leasing news.
